Burke Street Self Storage to be constructed in Nashua

NASHUA — A new public storage facility will soon be constructed on Burke Street at the former Improved Paper Machinery Co. site.

Last week, the planning board approved a site plan allowing for the construction of eight new buildings and the renovation of an existing building for the self storage complex at 131 Burke St.

Burke Street Self Storage will provide nearly 40,000 square feet of new construction storage. The existing building will be expanded and converted into an additional 53,000 square feet of climate controlled self storage, as well as warehousing and office space, according to Paul Chisholm, a civil engineer with Keach-Nordstrom Associates.

“This is a site with heavy industrial use,” Chisholm told city planners, adding the self storage facility offers a clean development opportunity for the six acre parcel.

Lewis and Clark, a machine reseller, currently operates on the site; Chisholm said plans include space for a rental tenant to remain.

Brian Kelly of 131 Burke St. LLC, said he intends to have the self storage facility open 24 hours a day, and will utilize security cameras, fencing and a key-code gate for entry.

“Our plan is to do whatever necessary to make it secure,” said Kelly.

One employee will assist with daily maintenance and upkeep of the complex. However, the business will operate mostly through a kiosk machine where customers are able to rent the individual storage units.

There are 52 parking spaces on the property, however Chisholm said there will likely only be about 25 vehicles visiting the units daily.

“It should be noted that there is contamination on the site based on historical use,” he told the board. According to Chisholm, chromium has been identified in the subsoil, which could have resulted from the operations of Ingersoll Rand, a former occupant on the large property before it was subdivided.

An environmental firm is working with Ingersoll Rand to mitigate the contamination, and treatments have already taken place, he said. Still, Chisholm stressed that Burke Street Self Storage will not be constructing on that portion of the property. The planning board unanimously approved the site plan on Thursday, with the condition that the new developers work with city staff to grant an easement that will allow access to a nearby public trail.

Gene Porter of the Merrimack River Local Advisory Committee said the city owns about half of the one-mile stretch of trail, and the other half is privately owned. “It is a very, very attractive shoreline,” said Porter, stressing the importance of a conservation easement possibly for an expanded bike or walking trail in the future.

The scope and size of the new storage facility, which is next to Salmon Brook and the Merrimack River, will require an alteration of terrain permit that is now pending before the state; a shoreland permit has already been granted by state officials.

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